© UNICEF/A. Pinedo Destruction in Quibdo, Chocó province, after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake. Earthquake in Colombia: 1.2 million people in need of assistance, some areas still inaccessible Climate and Environment
Ten days after a powerful earthquake struck western Colombia, the UN estimates that some 1.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. At the same time, rescuers and humanitarian missions still cannot reach some settlements.
Humanitarian organizations are asking for $135 million to respond to the 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck on August 10th. The assistance program is designed for 671 thousand people. The first phase will focus on the departments that were most affected: Risaralda, Valle del Cauca, Chocó and Caldas.
Jean-Philippe Antolin, an emergency response specialist with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), speaking to reporters at UN headquarters in New York via video link from Quibdo, the capital of the Chocó department and one of the epicenters of the disaster, noted that the full extent of the disaster is still becoming clear. We’ve only been there once,” he said. “Absolutely everything remains urgently needed.”
Risk of building collapse
According to the latest data, the earthquake killed more than 300 people, 426 are missing, and more than 4,500 were injured.
Damage received over 163 thousand houses, almost 30 thousand were completely destroyed. At least 413 roads have been damaged, making access to some populated areas extremely difficult.
Many of the remaining homes may be unsafe. “The building may seem intact from the outside, but if you go inside, everything is full of cracks,” Antolen explained. “People are sleeping on the street because they are afraid that the roof will collapse on them.”
He stressed that an urgent examination of load-bearing structures is needed so that families can return to their homes.
According to the IOM, at least 71 temporary accommodation centers, where about 4,700 people are sheltered. The rest are staying with relatives, renting housing, or living in adapted accommodation.
Rain and the risk of epidemics
Heavy torrential rains in a number of affected areas (including the cities of Pereira, Buenaventura and Quibdo) significantly complicate the situation of people in temporary shelters. shelters.
“The rains are rapidly increasing the risk of the spread of vector-borne diseases, especially dengue fever,” warned Antolen.
In the Chocó department, overflowing reservoirs and contact with contaminated water increase the risk of outbreaks of intestinal and respiratory diseases.
UN increases efforts assistance
UN agencies are expanding support programs as new needs are identified:
- IOM has begun raising $30 million. The funds will be used to provide shelter, accommodation facilities, water supply and sanitation.
- The World Food Program (WFP) has begun distributing emergency food packages in Pereira and Quibdo and is preparing to provide assistance in other areas. The organization is seeking $23 million to help approximately 100,000 people.
- The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is sending mobile teams to support pregnant women and survivors of gender-based violence in Chocó, as well as delivering hygiene and obstetric kits.
- UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is providing clean water and sanitation supplies to affected families, and working with the country’s authorities to address child protection issues.
- United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher has committed $5 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support operations led by the Government of Colombia.